Lindholm beginning to believe he’s “capable of playing in this league”

The Colorado Avalanche come into their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight on a three-game winning streak and winners of eight of their last 12 overall.

The team's recent success has put them into the thick of the wild-card playoff race in the Western Conference. The Avalanche are battling some injury issues as they head into tonight's game. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov and forwards Sven Andrighetto and J.T. Compher are all on the shelf as they face various minor injuries that are set to keep them out likely beyond this weekend's games and into the team's "bye week."

Facing a fast Columbus team, head coach Jared Bednar opted not to make any lineup tweaks beyond the obvious of starting Jonathan Bernier in net tonight as he replaces the injured Varlamov. One of the players who might have seen his name on the scratch list tonight is defenseman Anton Lindholm.

"I feel like I've picked up where I left off last year," Lindholm said. "I'm starting to maybe believe more in myself that I'm able and capable of playing in this league.